The house was silent as Roman walked towards the house. It was his birthday and he was fully expecting a surprise party. Randy and Dean couldn't keep a surprise secret if you paid them to and kept whispering to eachother. Then there was the fact that John had vanished around noon with not so much as a word to him or anyone. They where all his best friends and they mean well. But some days Roman wondered if he was the only sane person in his friend's circle.
Roman eyes the cat toys on the porch. Dean was a neko and always had toys everywhere between the two houses. Nekos where pets, companions and lovers to a lot of people. They where intelligent but also where vulnerable to their own animal instincts. Legally they existed in a grey area. They where pets and owned. They had some protection through the Animal abuse laws and through societies such as the SPCA. There where some battling for Nekos to be equals.
Dean wasn't in that battle though. He was just enjoying his life with Randy. Randy had taken him out of the shelter where Dean had been raised. Roman and Randy had been room mates during the time and where both at college. Roman was blown away when Randy brought the Neko home. Randy though kept Dean safe and loved and that's all Dean wanted. Roman knew not every Neko was so lucky. Now Randy and Dean lived next door, but Dean was between both houses all the time. Dean would clean the house for money as well since he couldn't get a job any where else.
Roman opens the door and then jumps back when Dean pounces screaming surprise. Dean has black cat ears and black tail. Roman catches him and then eyes the Neko.
Randy coughs. "Well that's one way to scare him.. but I don't think you're suppose to do that."
Dean snorts as Roman lets him down. Dean then eyes his partner. "It worked better then your guys plan. Jump out and yell surprise. Pfft pounce the man and make him scared."
Randy sighs and then looks at Roman. "Happy birthday man."
Roman nods and smiles at them. "Thank you."
Randy grins at him. Everyone was quick to start wishing him a happy birthday. Roman smiled and took a drink offered to him by John Cena. All of his friends where there. After little bit of time passed John states that it's gift time. Roman watches him go into the kitchen and wonders why there would a gift in there.
Roman really hopes it's not a hooker or stripper. After his break up with Brad almost 2 years ago he hadn't been interested in anyone. He knew though his friends where worried because Brad hurt him. Brad just one day up and left with out a word or a good bye. A month later there was a dear john letter left on his door.
Roman looks confused when John walks out with his back to everyone. John is speaking softly and gently. Roman stands up and his eyes go wide when John moves to show him. There's a Neko standing in his living room. A young Neko with two toned hair. The neko's ears and tail are marbled with the same colours of his hair blond and dark dark brown. Roman looks at Dean and Randy.
Dean's tail twitches because he can smell the fear from the boy.
Randy though smiles softly at Roman. "we wanted to .. you've been alone for a long time Roman.. you need someone."
Roman glares at him. "so you adopt.. a Neko for me.."
Roman shakes his head not sure about this. After Brad he never found anyone because he didn't want anyone. He then stiffens when he hears a broken sob. He spins and sees the Neko crying softly. John wraps his arms around the Neko and holds him. Roman looks at him and then eyes Dean.
Dean shrugs. "John adopted him .. from the shelter. We wanted you to have someone."
Roman frowns.
Dean sighs at Roman and then speaks firmly. " If you don't want him.. he will go back."
Roman sighs as he rubs his head. He didn't want to abandon the kid again. Roman then mutters. "Fine.. He can stay.."
Dean eyes him. Randy grabs Dean though and pulls him back.
Roman walks over to the Neko and John moves. Roman stands in front of the Neko and reaches forward. He frowns when the boy flinches but lets him touch his hair. Roman lets the soft strands slide through his fingers. The Neko stiffens and stands there watching Roman closely.
Roman speaks softly. "I'm Roman.."
The neko watches him and doesn't say anything.
Roman finally just turns the tag on the boys collar. One side it says owner Roman with Roman's number then other side has Seth written on it.
"Seth is your name?" Roman asks.
Seth nods slowly and keeps his eyes on Roman. Seth is staring at him like he's going to attack him at anytime. Seth's ears are pulled back and pressed against his head with his tail twitching wildly.
Roman watches him and smiles gently at him. "come on. Lets get you something to eat and maybe then we can talk? Or I can.. talk at you since you won't talk."
Seth nods and then jumps a little when Roman takes his hand. Roman leads him to the dinning room and everyone else calms and follows him.
Dean though looks distressed and hangs back with Randy.
Randy smiles at his Neko and whispers. "Dean?"
Dean rubs his arm and then speaks. "I don't want... he.."
Randy laughs softly. "Dean.. Roman agreed to take him. He already is growing attached. The kiddo will be fine."
Dean nods and then follows Randy into the dinning room. Dean scans the room and sighs when he sees Seth sitting at the table by Roman. Roman had given him food but the boy isn't eating. Dean sits on the other side of him and whispers in his ear. "You should eat.."
Seth's head snaps up and he looks at Dean. Dean watches him and then motions to the food. Seth looks at it and then all the people. Dean frowns softly and watches him closely. When Seth doesn't eat and just looks at his lap. Roman watches and then whispers softy. "It's really good."
Seth fidgets and whispers.. "I.. I .."
Roman watches and whispers softly to Seth. "You?"
Seth fidgets and then reaches around himself holding onto his arms. Roman watches and then moves. Seth lets out a scared squeak as he is pulled onto Roman's lap. Roman holds him as Seth shakes in his lap. Roman then offers Seth a piece of the steak on his plate. Roman whispers softly. "eat."
Seth looks at him and Roman nods. Seth takes the meat quietly and Roman nods. The rest of the meal is spent talking quietly. Roman makes sure that Seth eats enough and Dean watching over the two of them. After dinner everyone decides to leave to allow Roman time with Seth. Dean said he would come over tomorrow and didn't leave any room for arguments.
After everyone left Seth looks at Roman with big eyes. Roman though just gives him a smile and sits on the couch looking at him. "Come here."
Seth shakes as he tentatively walks forward. Roman reaches out a hand and takes his hand. Seth looks down at the hand that is holding onto his and then whimpers in fear when he is pulled to sit by Roman. Roman frowns at the reaction and then gently speaks. "What's your story Seth."
Seth shakes his head and then yelps whe he's pulled into Roman's lap again. Roman holds him and whispers. "Seth you might have been a suprise but you are staying with me now."
Seth looks at him and whispers. "I don't have to go back?"
Roman shakes his head and then runs his fingers over Seth's hair and whispers. "Never."
Seth nods and then peeks up when Roman holds Seth tightly. Seth's tail moves and wraps around Roman.
Roman whispers softly. "You will have to share a room with me."
Seth nods and whispers the fear apparent in his voice. "you.. you want.."
Roman shakes his head. "We're just sleeping Seth. Just sleeping that's all."
Seth peeks at him looking confused. Roman though stands him up and then leads him to the bedroom. He helps Seth get dressed into one of his shirts and then changes himself for bed. He then looks at Seth and whispers. "We're just going to sleep. I promise you."
Seth nods and crawls into bed. Roman crawls into the other side and pulls the blankets over them.
Roman watches as Seth settles under the covers. Roman smiles softly and whispers. "Sleep little kitten. Tomorrow We'll figure things out.. I promise."
Seth peeks at him and then closes his eyes. Roman smiles softly and then closes his eyes as well.